“Don’t you think I fucking know that?” Daddy’s shoulders rise and drop with harsh breaths. “I’ll send her back to the psych ward.”
“And this time, don’t get her out for Christ’s sake.”
“You want me to tell you were right all along, Agnus? Is that it?”
“I’m always right, Ethan. You wouldn’t be in this predicament if you listened to me and didn’t marry her.”
“If I didn’t marry her, I wouldn’t have Elsa. I would repeat it all over again if I was given the choice. Only this time, I would lock her in for her and everyone else’s sake.”
Uncle Agnus’ expression doesn’t change. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”
“Go home. Check on Knox and Teal and get some rest.” Dad sighs, running a hand over his face. “Reginald was a backstabbing traitor, but he was your brother.”
“I have no brother who betrays you. I’ll check on the staff and security before I go.” Uncle Agnus nods and heads outside.
Daddy is leaving, too.
Shoot. He can’t go and not find me in bed.
Besides, he has to help Grey Eyes. I promised him. He must be waiting for me.
“D—”
The word dies in my throat when Mum barges inside.
She’s wearing her beautiful red dress with ribbons that flutter over her waist. Her cherry perfume smells good even all the way here. Tears stream down her cheeks, but she doesn’t appear sad. She appears… lost.
My fingers dig into the curtains as I hide behind the patio door.
“Abby.” Dad steps back in the room letting her in.
“Ethan… I-I think I hurt Eli.”
“You hurt Eli, how?” he asks slowly.
“He… he wouldn’t stop bleeding.” She shows him her hands soaked in red. “He wouldn’t stop bleeding, Ethan. He wouldn’t talk to me anymore… I only wanted him to be strong. Is it wrong to want my children strong? That’s why I take Elsa to swim in the lake, you know.”
“You take Elsa to swim in the lake?” Dad grinds his teeth.
Oh, no. He’ll be angry and them monsters will come out.
Ma’s eyes become clear, almost haunting as she saunters to Daddy’s desk and sits behind it. Placing one foot over the other, she speaks in a determined tone, “Of course, I do. She doesn’t know how to swim. I have to teach her so she doesn’t drown like Eli. She can’t be a Steel if she’s weak.”
“Abby…” Dad grits out, but he turns away from her to take a deep breath. “We’ll go somewhere tomorrow, okay? Now, I’ll go check on the boy. Jonathan would go berserk if something happens to him.”
Yes! I knew Daddy would help him.
He takes two steps in the direction of the door.
“Stop…” Mum calls in a trembling voice. “S-stop it, Ethan. I-I won’t forgive you if you take Eli away from me.”
“He’s not Eli, Abby. He’s Jonathan’s only fucking son.” He marches to the door. “I’ll come back once —”
A loud bang echoes through the air.
Dad staggers backwards and falls against a chair. A large spot of red explodes on the back and the front of his white shirt.
D-Daddy?